A top FBI official in Moscow assigned to work with Russian authorities in the fight against organized crime has resigned amid reports Russian intelligence refused to cooperate with him.
The U.S. Embassy confirmed Wednesday that Stanton Felton, head of the Moscow liaison office, had returned to Washington. A spokeswoman read a statement saying the move was "for personal reasons and at his own request."U.S. officials in both Moscow and Washington had no comment on a report in the Moscow newspaper Segodnya that Russian secret services never forgave Felton for his reported role in last year's arrest of retired KGB agent Vladimir Galkin.
Galkin was arrested when he arrived in the United States on a private visit last year, accused of offering $30,000 in 1990 and 1991 for reports pertaining to America's Strategic Defense Initiative, or the "Star Wars" defense plan.
He was released 16 days later with an apology from the U.S. government. Espionage charges against him were dropped at the request of CIA Director John Deutch after Russia issued several public protests saying former spies are not fair game for arrest.
Segodnya said Felton had asked to be relieved of his duties last week during a Moscow visit by Louis Freeh, director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.